Warnings over level crossing 'madness' in Wales

Hundreds of motorists are continuing to risk their lives at train level crossings, Network Rail has warned.

It said there were 204 incidents at Welsh crossings in 2010, many involving vehicles.

Latest figures reveal that across Britain there has been a 15% increase in near misses at crossings in 2010.

Despite this, the number of collisions has dropped from 14 in 2009 to seven last year.

But Network Rail route director Mark Langman noted: "Too many motorists continue to break the law by jumping the lights or swerving around barriers at level crossings.

"Hundreds of pedestrians are also risking their lives just trying to save a few seconds - it's just not worth it."

In addition to the 204 Welsh incidents in 2010, Network Rail said there were also 37 cases of people failing to contact signallers to check it was safe to use unpoliced crossings.

Last year, Network Rail released footage in Llanelli to highlight the potential dangers of level crossings.

It showed a woman with a pram dashing through as the barriers closed, as part of a campaign called "Would it kill you to wait?".

The company has now released CCTV filmed at the same spot showing a driver swerving around the barriers at night.

"Whilst deaths and injuries are thankfully few, these actions by those who are either impatient or ignorant of the law cause great cost, delay and disruption to both rail and road passengers across Britain," Mr Langman added.